Bollywood in 2025: Who will hold the reins?

You don’t need a time machine to ring in some inescapable truths. The way Bollywood functions may or may not change, but the stars — actors and filmmakers - will age. The old guard might still find ways to make wrinkles vanish (a la Rajinikanth) even as the newcomers — star kids and otherwise — find their place in the spotlight. But things will change. That is a given. Get a load of what will, right here...

Amitabh Bachchan will be 80-plus
He’s already a grandfather. But he wears 70 invariably well. Health-willing, he’ll still be on the sets, inspiring his co-stars to keep up with him, in the very least. If the last 10 years has taught us anything, it’s that while he might slow down occasionally, there is no stopping him. Until he wants to.

Anil Kapoor will be 70
Mr Jhakaas will be a grandfather by then — either on screen or off it, whether he likes it or not. He won’t look it, though. He’ll still be internationally relevant, too. Still acting, by the looks of it. Over the years, it has been the endearing earnestness he brings to all his roles that has seen him through ups and lows in his career. That won’t change.

Khan trio will be 60
Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir will be senior citizens. Still reigning? Probably not. But they will still be on the scene. Doing specially written roles for them. The sort Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar began doing once they 
stopped being leading men.

Fab at 40
Arjun Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Sonam Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Deepika will be 40. Stars today, superstars tomorrow... who’s to say otherwise. It could happen. Their looks won’t fail them.

The new guard: In their 30s
Sridevi’s daughter Jhanvi is expected to make her acting debut soon. Her youngest, Khushi might also follow soon after. Then there’s SRK’s son Aryan whose debut will be one to watch out for, possibly after he completes his studies. Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid, currently assisting directors, might either move on to acting or filmmaking. By the time 2025 rolls around, they should have some work experience to their name. 

Debutants: In their 20s 
Akshay Kumar’s son Aarav will be in his early-20s, still contemplating his options - college and/or a career in Bollywood. And knowing his parents, he might just decide to focus on his education before making a calculated leap into B-Town. Shah Rukh’s beti Suhana will be in her mid-20s and probably making similar choices or preparing for her debut.

Teen Central
Aaradhya Bachchan, by 2025, should be a budding fashionista and a red-carpet veteran, with several years of Cannes appearances behind her. Akshay Kumar’s daughter Nitara Kumar will still be in school, probably excelling in whatever she does and we’re hoping she inherits her mother Twinkle’s writing skills. AbRam Khan and Azad Rao Khan, too, will be school-going boys with still a few years to go, before they worry about workplaces and such.

Gen Next
It won’t take 10 years for sure (it might happen sooner), but Katrina will quite possibly be a mother by then. Bebo, too, might have a little royal by then. Or maybe twins? Right now, career comes first for Priyanka Chopra. But you can never say. She might just find the time for marriage and consequently, motherhood. Or perhaps adopt a child, a la Angelina Jolie (or closer home, Sushmita Sen)?

Salman still single
It could’ve happened 10 years ago. Or 10 years before that. But it didn’t. God (and Khan himself) probably knows why that is, but he must have his reasons — good ones, we’re sure why he didn’t. And 10 years on, that status quo might remain the same. Unless he finds that special someone. You never know.